Abstract: A thrust plate for a compressor may include first and second ends and a feed hole. The first end may include a thrust surface. The second end may include a lubricant accumulation feature. The feed hole may extend between the lubricant accumulation feature and the thrust surface to provide communication therebetween. The feed hole may be angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the thrust plate such that lubricant flows through the feed hole from the lubricant accumulation feature to the thrust surface.

Abstract: A rotary compressor includes a compression unit that includes an annular cylinder including a cylinder inner wall, a suction port, and a vane groove, an end plate covering an end portion of the cylinder, an annular piston revolving in the cylinder to form an actuation chamber between the cylinder inner wall and the annular piston; and a vane protruding into the actuation chamber to divide the actuation chamber into a suction chamber and a compression chamber. A discharge port, which is provided in the end plate near the vane groove, communicates with the compression chamber, and a discharge groove, which is provided in the cylinder inner wall near the vane groove, communicates the compression chamber with the discharge port, and one side end portion of the discharge groove is located in an end portion of a wall portion of the vane groove on the compression chamber side.

Abstract: An internal gear pump includes an inner rotor having n teeth and an outer rotor having (n+1) teeth. A tooth profile of the inner rotor is an envelope of a group of locus circles (13) each having a diameter C and having a center on a trochoidal curve (T), the trochoidal curve being drawn along a locus of a fixation point, which is located distant from a center of a rolling circle (12) by e, when the rolling circle (12) rolls along a base circle (11) without sliding. A tooth profile of the outer rotor is an envelope of a group of tooth-profile curves of a formation inner rotor, the envelope being obtained by first drawing the formation inner rotor in which a diameter of the locus circle (13) is equal to C? determined from expression (C?t), revolving a center (OI) of the formation inner rotor by one lap along a circle (S) having a diameter (2e) and centered on a center (OO) of the outer rotor, and rotating the formation inner rotor 1/n times during the revolution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gear wheel pump with two meshing gear wheels which are rotatably mounted within a pump housing by means of a driven driveshaft and a crankshaft journal and which form a pumping channel system between a pump inlet and a pump outlet. Several gaps are formed between the pump housing, the gear wheels, the driveshaft, and the crankshaft journal. One of the gaps between the driveshaft and one of the gear wheels contains means for the rotationally fixed connection of the driveshaft to the gear wheel. In order to prevent leakages penetrating to the connecting means, according to the invention the gap between the driveshaft and the gear wheel is sealed, with respect to the front faces of the gear wheel, by means of a sealant.

Abstract: A pair of Northey rotors for a vacuum pump, in which each rotor comprises two opposing, substantially parallel faces, and a peripheral surface located between the opposing faces. In order to reduce damage caused by pumping a gas stream containing liquid or solid particulates, a plurality of grooves is located on the peripheral surface for accommodating the particulates.

Abstract: An optical lens mold includes a mold body, a magnetic fluid, a plurality of thermocouples, a plurality of electromagnets, a controlling unit and a power source. The mold body defines a plurality of injection chambers and a cooling channel surrounding the plurality of injection chambers. The magnetic fluid contains magnetic particles and flows in the cooling channel. The thermocouples are capable of sensing temperatures of the plurality of injection chambers correspondingly. The electromagnets are positioned above the cooling channel corresponding to the plurality of thermocouples. The plurality of thermocouples and the plurality of electromagnets are connected to the controlling unit via the power source, the controlling unit is capable of the comparing the standard temperature value with temperature values sensed by the plurality of thermocouples, and maintaining the temperature of the plurality of injection chambers in a normal state.

Abstract: A cotton candy machine including, a base having a switch, motor and heater, and a head The head includes a shaft removably coupled to the motor and a dish coupled to the shaft. A cover is disposed between the dish and a lid. The shaft, cover and lid are in a fixed relationship relative to each other. The cover and the lid form a cavity which is configured to receive hard candy which can be melted when said dish and cover combination are heated to a predetermined temperature. The lid has a lip formed on its top surface around an inner annular ring portion of the lid. The is lip configured to enable the hard candy, when melted, and the head is rotating at a predetermined speed, to form strands or threads which are collectable as cotton candy.

Abstract: A mold assembly for insert-molding a heterogeneous object includes an upper mold and a lower mold. The upper mold includes a cavity for accommodating an insert object. The lower mold includes a rigid body and a resilient contact member for resting the insert object. The resilient contact member absorbs dimensional variations of the insert object during the insert molding process.

Abstract: A thermoforming device heats a plastic film to a substantially uniform temperature, in order to impart a curved shape to said film. The device includes a chamber, the internal pressure of which is variable and which is closed by the film, a system for measuring a sag in the film arranged outside the chamber and opposite said film, and a system for heating the film. The heating system includes a hot air blowing unit which is suitable for producing a hot airflow flowing parallel to the film between two opposite edges of said film.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating plastic receptacles includes a transport device which transports the receptacles along a predetermined transport path and at least one heating device for heating the plastic receptacles. The heating device includes at least one radiation source which directs radiation at the plastic receptacles and at least one first reflector element which reflects radiation emitted from the radiation source. The apparatus includes a proportional reflection device which transmits radiation emitted by the radiation source with wavelengths in a first predetermined wavelength range onto the receptacle and reflects radiation with wavelengths in a second predetermined wavelength range onto the radiation source.

Abstract: The support cooperates with the half-molds (2, 3) of a molding unit used to shape a container from thermoplastic material. This support comprises: a pedestal in the form of an actuating cylinder (11), the rod (12) of which is solidly connected to the mold base (1); and, between the rod (12) of the actuating cylinder (11) and the mold base (1), an assembly system (13) formed by a female part in the form of a nut (14) and of a male part in the form of a screw (15). The nut (14) is trapped at the end of the rod (12) of the actuating cylinder (11) and the screw (15) is associated directly or indirectly with the mold base (1). A system of shim(s) (40, 41) can be used to adjust the working stroke of the rod (12) of the actuating cylinder (11) as required.

Abstract: A molding device for molding a resin composition into a sheet shape by pressurizing the resin composition has a pair of rollers arranged parallel to one another. Each of the rollers has a columnar or cylindrical core portion and an outer layer provided on an outer periphery of the core portion. The outer layer is constituted of the ceramic material. A thickness of the outer layer is in the range of 0.2 to 100 nm. Further, an arithmetic mean deviation of a profile Ra of an outer peripheral surface of each of the rollers defined by JIS B 0601 is in the range of 0 to 2 ?m.

Abstract: Noodles with hand-made quality consisting of thick and thin portions are processed by introducing a noodle belt between first and second cutting rolls 5 and 6 having first and second cutting blades 3 and 4 each formed by large and small diameter portions 3a, 4a and 3b and 4b, and spacers 7. The cutting rolls are relatively shifted in an axial direction such that the thick portion is formed by opposing large diameter portion and spacer and the thin portion is formed by opposing large diameter portion and small diameter portion.

Abstract: The present invention is a material forming apparatus that includes a piece of material that is a piece of laminated wood, a cover sheet made of plastic material, a flexible bed, a plurality of bed arms and a plurality of drive gears. The material forming apparatus also includes a numerical digital display, a plurality of roller clamps, one or more cranks with a grasping knob and a plurality of pivoting arms that are rotated by rotation of the drive gears and move the bed arms to force the flexible bed and the piece of material into a desired arc radius.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to an apparatus for casting a portion of a tire, and, more specifically, to an apparatus that has a cap and an outer ring that are rotatably attached to a fixed portion of the molding apparatus for centrifugally molding the spokes of a non-pneumatic tire from polyurethane or some other suitable material. The cap and outer ring have separate rotatable attachments to the apparatus and are not otherwise connected to each other, so they are free to rotate without obscuring the pouring slot of the mold.

Abstract: The invention provides a deckle system for extrusion dies. In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods of cleaning an extrusion die equipped with a retractable external deckle system. Also provided in some embodiments is a deckle system having a novel deckle adjustment mechanism. In other embodiments, the invention provides an advantageous internal deckle member equipped with a removable, replaceable internally threaded insert.

Abstract: An apparatus for molding plastic preforms into plastic containers, includes a clean room, at least one blow station having a blow mold for shaping the plastic preforms by at least one process pressure, and a venting device for venting or reducing the process pressure into the atmosphere. The venting device has at least one venting valve through which pressure can be vented into the atmosphere via a sound absorber, and a pressure drop safety device for closing the venting valve before the atmospheric pressure level on the venting device is reached.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing plastic containers includes a heating module that heats plastic preforms and a molding module for molding the preforms into containers. The heating module includes a first transport unit that transports the preforms during the heating and a first interface. The molding module is downstream of the heating module in the transport direction and includes a blow molding unit for applying a flowable medium onto the preforms for expansion thereof, a second transport unit that transports the preforms during the expansion, and a second interface. The first and second interfaces allow a mechanical connection and an electrical connection between the modules such that the molding module may be disposed on the heating module and at least one further module integrated between the heating and molding modules. The further module treats the preforms following the heating and prior to the molding.

Abstract: A cavity insert for a mold stack is disclosed, the cavity insert being dimensioned to define a continuous annular cavity insert cooling chamber. The cavity insert also provides a first and second decompression chamber in fluid communication with each end of the cavity insert cooling chamber. Also disclosed is a chamber extension feature in fluid communication with the cavity insert cooling chamber to promote cooling in the downstream region of the cavity insert.

Abstract: An injection molding machine for producing molded parts has a machine table with a base frame on which three supporting elements with a baseplate disposed thereon are arranged. The base plate has a temperature-control element.

Abstract: An injection-molding device includes a male part, a female part, a vertically-moveable slider, a horizontally-moveable slider and an elastic element. The female part is detachably engaged with the male part, and an insertion groove is collectively formed by the male part and the female part. The vertically-moveable slider is detachably inserted in the insertion groove, and formed with a first inclined plane. The horizontally-moveable slider is detachably inserted in the insertion groove, formed with a second inclined plane being slidably engaged with the first inclined plane, and a closed cavity is collectively defined by the vertically-moveable slider, the horizontally-moveable slider, the female part and the male part. Two opposite ends of the elastic element are respectively abutted against the vertically-moveable slider and the horizontally-moveable slider.

Abstract: Integrated polymeric-ceramic membrane-based oxy-fuel combustor. The combustor includes a polymer membrane structure for receiving air at an input and for delivering oxygen-enriched air at an outlet. An oxygen transport reactor including a ceramic ion transport membrane receives the oxygen-enriched air from the polymer membrane structure to generate oxygen for combustion with a fuel introduced into the oxygen transport reactor.

Abstract: Method for combustion of a fuel uses an existing air burner (1), including a first supply opening (5) for fuel and a second supply opening (7) for air, which supply openings (5,7) open out into a combustion zone (3). The method is characterised in that a gaseous fuel with an LHV (Lower Heating Value) of less than 7.5 MJ/Nm3 is supplied through the second supply opening (7), in that an oxidant including at least 85 percent by weight oxygen is also supplied to the combustion zone (3) through a supply device for oxidant, and in that the gaseous fuel is caused to be combusted with the oxidant in the combustion zone (3).

Abstract: The disclosure provides an apparatus and method utilizing fuel reactor comprised of a fuel section, an oxygen carrier section, and a porous divider separating the fuel section and the oxygen carrier section. The porous divider allows fluid communication between the fuel section and the oxygen carrier section while preventing the migration of solids of a particular size. Maintaining particle segregation between the oxygen carrier section and the fuel section during solid fuel gasification and combustion processes allows gases generated in either section to participate in necessary reactions while greatly mitigating issues associated with mixture of the oxygen carrier with char or ash products. The apparatus and method may be utilized with an oxygen uncoupling oxygen carrier such as CuO, Mn3O4, or Co3O4, or utilized with a CO/H2 reducing oxygen carrier such as Fe2O3.

Abstract: A combustor includes an end cap having an upstream surface axially separated from a downstream surface. A cap shield circumferentially surrounds the upstream and downstream surfaces, tubes extend from the upstream surface through the downstream, and a plenum is inside the end cap. A first baffle extends radially across the plenum toward the cap shield, and a plate extends radially inside the plenum between the first baffle and the upstream surface. A method for supplying fuel to a combustor includes flowing a working fluid through tubes, flowing a fuel into a plenum between upstream and downstream surfaces, radially distributing the fuel along a first baffle, and axially flowing the fuel across a plate that extends radially inside the plenum.

Abstract: A gas burner, which is particularly suitable for flame treatment of substrates having large surfaces, e.g. for coating such surfaces in a combustion chemical vapor deposition (CCVD) process, includes a burner body with a gas supply connection and a nozzle plate, wherein the burner body and the nozzle plate constitute together a gas plenum and the nozzle plate constitutes a perforated wall section of the plenum. The nozzle plate includes a large number of nozzles extending from a plenum side to a flame side of the nozzle plate and it is made of a plurality of sheets which are arranged in a stack and extend substantially perpendicular or substantially parallel to the nozzle extension. The sheets include through openings, wherein the through openings of all sheets are at least partly aligned with each other, or they have a comb-like form.

Abstract: An Active Energy Assist (AEA) baking chamber includes an AEA light source assembly and a heater pedestal. The AEA baking chamber further includes a controller for controlling a power input to the AEA light source assembly and a power input to the heater pedestal. A method of forming interconnects on a substrate includes etching a substrate and wet cleaning the etched substrate. The method further includes active energy assist (AEA) baking the substrate after the wet-cleaning. The AEA baking includes placing the substrate on a heater pedestal in an AEA chamber, exposing the substrate to light having a wavelength equal to or greater than 400 nm, wherein said light is emitted by a light source and controlling the light source and the heater pedestal using a controller.

Abstract: Embodiments include dental appliances, dental appliance systems, and methods of making and using such appliances. In one embodiment, a dental appliance includes a number of tooth apertures for the placement of teeth therein and a tab representing a position of a tooth that has not fully erupted and oriented to be received over the position of the tooth that has not fully erupted.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket includes a bracket body and a ligating member. The ligating member retains an archwire in an archwire slot and includes archwire control structure including projecting portions spaced apart in a mesial-distal direction with a recessed area therebetween. The recessed area and the projecting portions overlie the archwire slot. The recessed area may include a flat or a curved surface in a mesial-distal direction. The recessed area and projecting portions may define a radius of curvature that is less than the radius of curvature of the archwire seated in the slot. The archwire contacts one or both of the projecting portions resulting in a larger moment arm and better rotational control of the bracket with the force applied by the archwire.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting motions of a lower jaw relative to the upper jaw of a vertebrate, comprising a first holder (30) to be fixed to the head of a vertebrate with a fixed assignment relative to the upper jaw for accommodating transmitter or receiver units of a position determining system (1) for the detection of motion, a second holder (40A) to be fixed to the lower jaw on the left side for accommodating corresponding left-sided receiver and transmitter units of the position determining system, a third holder (40B) to be fixed to the lower jaw on the right side for accommodating corresponding right-sided receiver and transmitter units of the position determining system, and a first evaluation unit (13) for processing signals from the receiver units so as to generate a differentiated dynamic image of the motions of the left and right sides of the lower jaw from relative positional changes of the transmitter units (11) which are associated with the motions of the lower jaw and are detected by the receiver un

Abstract: Dental dressing assemblies are formed from hydrophilic polymer sponge structures, such as a densified chitosan biomaterial. The invention also contemplates systems and methods that can be used in conjunction with stents and periodontal dressings to promote hemostasis and secondary healing in free gingival graft palatal donor sites and all other oral and maxillofacial surgical sites.

Abstract: One possible embodiment of the invention could be a methodology of creating a proposed sulcus emergence profile for a dental implant surgical site, comprising of the following steps obtaining data of a specific patient's mouth needed to create a computer-generated virtual model of that patient's mouth; processing said obtained data to create a computer-generated virtual model of the patient's mouth; comparing virtual model data as it pertains to a site map of a proposed dental implant surgical site with virtual model data as it pertains to a site map of a mirror location in the mouth of the surgical site, allowing the mirror location site map to be transposed and overlaid upon the site map of the surgical site; and creating from that comparison of virtual model data, a proposed sulcus emergence profile for the implant surgical site.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for the amelioration of a recess (8), e.g. a recess in a (human) bone (7). The device comprises an element (2) for producing or coupling mechanical energy, and a cylindrical collar (4) comprising a cylindrical lateral surface having an outside diameter and having a central recess (26) for accommodating a guide pin (3). The guide pin (3) is provided to be inserted substantially down to the base of the recess (8) before applying oscillations, and in the region of the end thereat facing the base of the recess it is surrounded by an amelioration sleeve (6) made from a material that can be liquefied by way of ultrasonic oscillations.

Abstract: A motion and vibration cuing system for use with a motion simulator provides vibratory, impulse, onset and sustained motion cuing, independently or simultaneously, by operation of a frame assembly capable of producing vibration and six degrees-of-freedom of motion in coordination with one or more motion seats, mounted to the frame assembly, which produce surge, sway, heave and roll motions.

Abstract: An interactive education system for teaching patient care to a user is described. The system comprises a patient simulator; a virtual instrument for use with the patient simulator in performing patient care activities; means for sensing an interaction between the virtual instrument and the simulator, and means for providing feedback to the user regarding the interaction between the virtual instrument and the simulator. In one aspect, the system includes a maternal simulator, a fetal simulator, and a neonatal simulator.

Abstract: A switching electrical power contactor having a bi-blade type switch, has ferrous plates attached to the blades to increase the current carrying capacity and reduce the resistance of the switch.

Abstract: A magnetic power connector and an electronic system using a magnetic power connector are disclosed, wherein a magnetic element of the magnetic power connector is magnetically attracted to a matching magnetic connector to ensure a stable contact. In addition, the electrical conductive path created between the contact elements does not pass through any elastic elements, thereby avoiding heating and improving the lifespan of the elements. Furthermore, sealing can be disposed in the gaps between the connector elements to make the connector waterproof. In addition, a trigger signal can be generated by establishing an electrical connection between a signal contact element and the conductive element in the magnetic power connector so as to achieve the purpose of identification or control, thereby avoiding the functional failure caused by the damage of the contact element of the matching magnetic connector.

Abstract: A connector assembly utilizes improved capacitive coupling for connecting together electrical circuits on two substrates (7, 8). The connector assembly includes first (2) and second (3) connectors respectively attached to first and second circuit substrates. The first connector includes a plurality of first conductors (25) connected to circuits (75) on the first circuit substrate and these conductors have exposed contact surfaces with a dielectric material (4) disposed thereon. The first conductors and associated dielectric material confront second, opposing conductors (35) supported by the second connector frame when the connector frames are engaged together. A liquid dielectric material (45) is interposed between the terminals and the dielectric portions that fills minute gaps which may occur in the dielectric portions to improve the capacitive coupling ability of the connector assembly.

Abstract: For providing a fuse block in which a printed circuit board can be miniaturized, the fuse block includes a plurality of busbars formed into an L-shape. Each of the busbars is provided at one end thereof with at least one tuning-fork shaped connecting portion to be connected with a fuse, and at the other end thereof with at least one board connecting portion to be connected with a printed circuit board by soldering. The busbars are arranged in parallel along a direction X and overlapped along a direction Y to form four layers. The board connecting portion of the busbar in a third layer numbered from the printed circuit board and the board connecting portion of the busbar in a second layer are arranged in one row on one straight line, so that total number of the rows is smaller than total number of the layers.

Abstract: A low-profile electrical connector includes an insulative housing, a plurality of contacts and a pair of mounting pieces positioned at opposite sides of the insulative housing. The insulative housing includes a half-opened plug-receiving space. Each contact includes a fixing portion, a deformable contacting portion extending into the plug-receiving space and a soldering portion for being mounted to a circuit board. Each mounting piece includes a retaining portion, a bending portion extending sidewardly from the retaining portion and a mounting portion parallel to the retaining portion. The mounting portions are adapted for being fixed to the circuit board in order that when a plug is inserted into the plug-receiving space, the mounting portions replace the soldering portions to bear a great deal of impact force.

Abstract: A connector structure for device connection includes one connector provided on one device case and the other connector provided on the other device case The one connector includes an insulating housing having a plurality of accommodation recessed sections arrange in parallel, terminals having respective contact plate sections accommodated in the respective accommodation recessed sections, and the conductive rubbers which are in contact with the respective contact plate sections and are accommodated in the respective accommodation recessed sections. The other connector includes terminals respectively having contact plate sections which are pressed to be in contact with the respective conductive rubbers when the two cases are fixed to each other, and an insulating housing which accommodates the terminals.

Abstract: A method for producing electric components (1) for high-voltage applications, in particular ignition systems. An insulator (3) is produced as a hollow body from a thermoplastic material by an injection-molding method, the electrical functional part (2) is introduced into the insulator (3), and a casting material is cast in the intermediate space between the electrical functional part (2) and the insulator (3). Also, an electric component (1) having an electrical functional part (2) and an insulator (3) for high-voltage applications, in particular ignition systems The insulator (3) preferably consists of polyphenylene sulfide having a glass fiber content.

Abstract: A set of outlets including a sheet and a base adapted for electrical work to each other in a detachable manner, the sheet including at least two electric tracks in a concentric ring configured to respectively cooperate with electrical contacts of an electrical socket. A magnetic mechanism generates a first control force for positioning and holding the sheet on the base. The base includes at least two movable electric contacts movable between a first position inside the base and a second position outside the base to be respectively in direct electrical contact with the electrical tracks, the first force control to move the electrical contacts between the first and the second positions.

Abstract: A coaxial interface port accessory and port comprises, in one embodiment, a conductor portion configured to: (i) electrically communicate with a grounding conductor of a coaxial cable connector, (ii) axially engage a working surface of the coaxial cable connector to couple the connector to a coaxial interface port, and (iii) rotationally disengage the working surface the threaded coupler of the coaxial cable connector.

Abstract: A connector includes a housing (10) with a terminal accommodating portion (11) having a non-circular outer periphery and a tubular fitting (12) surrounding the terminal accommodating portion (11). A seal ring (30) is mounted on the outer periphery of the terminal accommodating portion (11) in the tubular fitting (12). Positioning projections (32) are formed on the seal ring (30), and positioning recesses (26) are formed on the inner periphery of a front end part of the tubular fitting portion (12) for engaging the positioning projections (32) at an initial stage of mounting the seal ring (30) and positioning the seal ring (30) in a circumferential direction by being.

Abstract: A detonator (14) has a printed circuit board (18) with conductive contact pads (26) which are electrically connected to conductors (32, 34) by means of a compression-type fitting. The compression-type fitting includes a cover (40), a seal (46) and a locking member (54) through which the electrical conductors in the form of a cable (12) are slidably threaded in the stated order. The detonator (14) has at its trailing end (24) a wedge-shaped part (28) having a serrated surface (28A). Locking member (54) has a tapered cavity (56) having a serrated surface (56A). Cover (40) is slid along cable (12) to force locking member (54) into locking engagement with wedge-shaped part (28) to hold conductors (32, 34) in contact with contact pads (26).

Abstract: A card edge connector defines an insulative housing, the housing includes a lengthwise base portion with opposite end walls along a lengthwise direction thereof, and a card-receiving slot runs forwards for an electrical card; a plurality of terminals are loaded in the housing and the terminals defines contacting portions exposing to the card-receiving slot and welding portions extending out of the housing; a pair of latch members are fixed to the end walls, each latch member comprises a locking portion, the locking portion bends inwards and downwards slantwise, the locking portion also defines an upper guiding surface and a lower resisting surface opposite to the upper guiding surface, wherein the guiding surfaces are disposed slantwise to the electrical card while the resisting surface is parallel to the electrical card.

Abstract: A safety plug device that is disposed in a high-voltage battery to interrupt power supply. The device includes a female housing, a male housing, and a grip part. The female housing includes a terminal part and the male housing is equipped with a fuse and is removably coupled to the female housing. The grip part is slidable on the male housing in forward and backward directions, is simultaneously coupled to the male housing in a vertical direction, and is equipped with an interlock pin connected to an interlock connector at a rear end thereof. In particular, the grip part slides forward to release the interlock pin and to be coupled to the male housing, to allow the grip part and the male housing to be removed in an upward direction to interrupt the power supply.

Abstract: An edge connector is to accept a memory card therein, the memory card having two opposite side surfaces, each provided with a plurality of terminal contacts. The edge connector includes an insulated body formed with a reception chamber; a plurality of first and second terminals mounted on the insulated body, each having a fixing section extending into the reception chamber and a transmission section integrally formed with, bent relative to the fixing section and extending into the reception chamber in order to form a card slot therebetween. The transmission section of the first terminal has a scratching corner protruding into the card slot, wherein, forcibly insertion of the memory card into the card slot causes the scratching corner to scratch away of an oxidized layer formed on the terminal contacts of the memory card, thereby enhancing electrical connection between the memory card and the first and second terminals.

Abstract: A through-the-hole (TTH)/surface mount (SMT) insulation piercing connector includes one or two spaced electrical contacts. Each contact has a flat plate portion and integrally-formed legs. An L-shaped hook portion on the flat plate portion has a piercing tip pointed in a direction away from the legs. The piercing tip is spaced from the flat plate portion, the flat plate portion being configured and dimensioned to bend in the direction towards the piercing tip when pressed to urge an insulated wire onto said piercing tip to cause it to penetrate the wire insulation and make electrical contact with the internal conductive wires or strands within the wire. The legs are insertable into mounting holes in a substrate for direct TTH mounting in a PCB or to be secured to a header provided with mounting holes by TTH soldering and surface mounting by a pick-and-place machine acting on the header.